FEMA has approved more than $2 billion for 1,477 recovery, mitigation and state-managed assistance projects across the United States, including infrastructure repairs, flood protection, property acquisitions and support for disaster survivors.
The package includes more than $1.5 billion in Public Assistance funding for 1,188 projects, $400 million for 280 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program projects, more than $51 million through the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program and about $40 million for nine Individual Assistance programs.
Public Assistance funding is available to state, territorial and local governments and certain private nonprofits for work tied to prior disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic. FEMA said the projects include public-building restoration, road repairs, critical-infrastructure work and reimbursement for actions taken to protect public health and safety.
Among the listed awards are more than $87.2 million for fire debris removal in New Mexico, more than $53 million for permanent Hurricane Ida work in the Jefferson Parish Public School System in Louisiana, more than $48 million for Tennessee debris removal after Tropical Storm Helene and more than $8.8 million for Helene debris removal in North Carolina.
FEMA said it reviewed claimed Public Assistance costs under a federal task force focused on fraud, waste and abuse. The agency obligates the money to states, territories and Tribal Nations, which are responsible for distributing it to eligible local recipients.
Mitigation projects span 29 states and three territories
The $400 million Hazard Mitigation Grant Program allocation covers 280 projects in 29 states and three territories. Eligible work can include buying hazard-prone properties, strengthening building codes, elevating structures, improving drainage, building safe rooms and upgrading utilities.
Projects cited by FEMA include a $52.8 million wind retrofit for a medical center in Riverside, Florida; more than $18 million to acquire and demolish 53 flood-damaged properties in Vermont; more than $16 million for backup power at Guam Memorial Hospital; and more than $11 million to elevate 44 flood-prone homes in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana.
Another $51 million is being awarded through the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program for construction and code projects intended to lower future disaster risk.
That funding includes $34.6 million for a 4.7-mile flood-protection system of levees, floodwalls, raised roads and upgraded pump stations in Hoquiam, Washington. FEMA also listed $3.8 million for Holland Tunnel power-distribution and emergency-generator upgrades in New Jersey, $1.8 million to update Rapid City fire codes in South Dakota and $1.2 million for stream restoration and flood-risk reduction in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The approximately $40 million in Individual Assistance grants will support nine state-managed programs addressing disaster unemployment, crisis counseling and case management, FEMA said.
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